Milton senator seeks to tax medical marijuana

Thursday

May 15, 2014 at 9:07 AMMay 15, 2014 at 2:02 PM

Joyce estimated that the state could collect $6.5 million in revenues.

Michael Norton, State House News Service

While saying he was disappointed that his amendment was ruled out of order Tuesday, Milton Sen. Brian Joyce told his colleagues during debate on substance abuse treatment legislation that he looked forward to Senate budget debate next week when he intends to push a proposal to make medical marijuana subject to the sales tax.

Calling marijuana a "gateway drug," Joyce estimated that the state could collect $6.5 million in revenues in its first year that could help bolster treatment services. He said other states are taxing medical marijuana, but that the Massachusetts Department of Revenue has ruled it may not tax prescriptions.